UK Government ‘did not contact’ Holyrood before PM announced compensation for fishing communities hit by Brexit

The UK Government has been accused of not contacting Holyrood before the Prime Minister announced compensation for the fishing communities hit by Brexit.

Rural economy and tourism secretary Fergus Ewing has claimed no “substantive discussions” had taken place despite Boris Johnson this week announcing a £23 million compensation scheme.

During a debate on the issue in Holyrood on Tuesday, Mr Ewing claimed he had repeatedly urged the UK Government to do more.

He said: “No substantive discussion on a compensation scheme for Scottish fishing communities took place and it's simply unacceptable for the UK Government to launch such a scheme without contacting the Scottish Government.

“The deal reached with the EU demonstrated the UK Governments profound lack of knowledge of, or concern for, Scottish seafood interests”.

Mr Johnson is set set to offer Seafood exporters £23m in compensation after Brexit chaos saw products held up by red tape.

The Prime Minister on Monday let slip the details just hours after furious Scottish shellfish exporters drove a dozen lorries to the steps of Downing Street in protest.

Mr Ewing has questioned the amount and insisted Scotland deserved better.

He said: “The Scottish Government made it clear that the UK having wanted Brexit and having delivered Brexit in a cack-handed way, ignoring the Scottish Government and industry, are now responsible and solely responsible for the losses and their failing.

“The PM made an apparently off-the-cuff remark yesterday that the package for the UK may be as little as £23m.

“To put that in perspective, last year the Scottish Government delivered in compensation for Covid alone £23.5m.”

He added: “This Government will continue to stand up for Scottish fishing and do all we can to make sure the compensation scheme reflects the long and lasting damage done to the Scottish seafood sector.”

Under a deal reached last month, British trade with the EU is tariff free, but fish exporters say their businesses are now suffering due to a series of new document demands.

UK Government officials are believed to have concerns over the Scottish Government animal inspectors and think the problems could have been dealt with if the devolved administration had been more prepared.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.